Of Winds And Quakes

39. The Laughter

Year of the Roses
Floral Season
The Stables
Altsas

Kyan

UTTERLY DISORIENTED I walk to the stables. I don't understand why my father would consider Lud a potential husband for Lysia. Is my father losing his mind? I'm not sure my mother knows about it, I know she can never agree to it. I also know Lysia will be heartbroken when she hears the news but there is very little she can do about it. I doubt I can do anything either.

This will be the second time she would cry in the last few days. The first time, I caused it. I don't regret it though, I believe that the guard was taking advantage of Lysia. I'll stand by what I did anytime but this; Lysia's marriage to Lud is unacceptable. Lud seems like someone who is very shrewd and sly. I don't trust him. And he has had two wives already, his previous marriages always end in a messy divorce. He is not an eligible man for my sister, Lysia deserves much more.

"Are you okay?" Alysia narrows her eyes at me, studying my face. She seems to have a strong interest in my countenances. I catch her staring at me sometime like she is trying to dig me open strata by strata.

"Um... I'm fine," I stutter. My heart does what it has never done before - a little summersault in my chest. How does this Kintilese have so much influence on me.

"Are you sure? You looked like you were thinking hard about something." She takes a step closer, clasps her hands at her back and twirls in semicircles. She looks so innocent, almost child-like as she does this.

I can't help chuckling but it is suppressed so it's a low hum. "I'm sure."

"Thanks for the flowers. I was very surprised," she tells me perkily.

"I'm glad you liked them. Why were you surprised?" She is wearing another outfit from Lysia, a red kaftan and trousers. She looks beautiful in red, I bite my tongue to prevent the compliment from slipping out. I don't want to seem too desperate or needy, besides I barely know her enough to throw compliments carelessly.

"I wasn't expecting them. They add a lovely fragrance to my room, they most have been cut this morning because they were so fresh!" She says with a soft smile.

Though I want to stand in front of the stables and talk with Alysia, I promised her that I'll teach her to ride. And I want to get us started before noon.

"We should go inside, don't you think?" I reach for her hand and my fingers brush against the bracelet.

She nods stiffly and we go inside the stable. The groom bows lowly to us but I don't take notice of him because Alysia is twisting one of the charms of the bracelet with the most nervous expression I've seen on a person.

"Are you all right?" She bites down on her lower lip and shakes her head. I hold my breath," what's wrong?"

"It's just," she lets out a laboured breath, "you didn't tell me these were emeralds."  She holds one of the charms between her index finger and thumb.

My brows jolts up in astonishment. That is what she was making big fuss about? I can't believe women.

"It's sentimental value is much more than it's monetary worth." I rise her hand to my face and watch her squirm. Do I make her uncomfortable? But why would she be uncomfortable with me? "This," I run a finger down the gold links, "was my great grandmother's."

Her eyes widen, she tries to free her hand from my grip but I only tighten it, not strong enough to hurt her but strong enough to keep her hand in mine.

"I don't deserve it," she says with eyes downcast.

"It belongs to you now, Alysia. My mother gave it to me so I would present it to my wife when it's time." I keep my eyes on her face steadily. She senses this and refuses to lift her gaze from the ground.